Many of you will immediately recognize the above image of Snoopy from the popular Charles Schultz comic, Peanuts. The enigmatic canine assumed multiple persona in the comic strip’s history. But none stood out as much as Snoopy’s portrayal of Germany’s famous World War I flying ace, The Red Baron. Multiple episodes of the animated cartoon depicted Snoopy in his aviator cap and red scarf piloting his bullet riddled dog house through the skies over France being pummeled by ground fire and chased by Allied aircraft. But in the end, the Red Baron always came out victorious.
But some may not be aware that the Red Baron is not just a fictional character. He was a real pilot who flew combat missions for Germany during World War I (of course, back then it was just know as “World War…do you think there will be another one of these?”) The Red Baron’s real name was Manfred von Richthofen. He was feared above Allied countries as he flew his iconic Red Fokker triplane racking up 80 kills (downed Allied aircraft). On April 21st, 1918 the Baron was shot down over France and died at the tender age of 25. His body was recovered by members of the Australian No 3 Squadron. Allied pilots who were sworn enemies of Richthofen. It would have been very tempting for the Australians to parade the body of the Red Baron before cameras to show the world their supremacy in bringing down the famed ace. But they chose a different path.
Rather than treat The Red Baron as the enemy combatant that he was, they instead gave him a full military funeral and burial complete with honor guard, wreaths and a service directed by an English priest. Hand written on the wreaths were sayings which included “To Our Gallant and Worthy Foe” and “Our Enemy, but Honored as a Brave Man,” Unheard of gallantry during a war that saw so many atrocities.
Perhaps the Aussie pilots were inspired by the story from today’s first reading from 2nd Samuel. As you know King Saul had little love lost for David. After David was anointed by Samuel as the future king of Israel, he went on to slay the Philistine, Goliath. The bitter enemy of Israel. This feat earned David the adulation of his people, to the detriment of Saul. To rub salt in Saul’s wounds, the people chanted “Saul has killed thousands, but David has killed tens of thousand” following David’s military campaigns under Saul. What followed was David becoming Saul’s sworn enemy with the king perpetrating multiple attempts on David’s life. He saw the young David as a threat to his monarchy. Fear grew in Saul and served as clear evidence that the first king of Israel was drifting away from his relationship with God.
In today’s portion we see the death of Saul, and his son Jonathan, during a battle with the Philistines. Saul is actually mortally wounded and rather than falling to his enemies he falls on his own sword. Word is carried back to David of the death of Saul and his beloved friend, Jonathan. Now I am guessing that most of us, if put in the same position as David, would have done a fair amount of celebrating. Maybe spiking his lyre in the end zone. Doing a stupid little end zone dance reminiscent of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy after each of his touchdowns against the Chicago Bears a few weeks ago. Can you tell that I am still holding a grudge?
But that is not how David reacted. Instead we read that:
David seized his garments and rent them,
and all the men who were with him did likewise.
They mourned and wept and fasted until evening
for Saul and his son Jonathan,
Here David’s enemy, the one who wanted him dead, was himself deceased thus giving David a clear path to the throne (Jonathan, the heir apparent, pledged the kingship to David). But instead of celebrating, David went into a period of mourning. He tore his garments as a sign of grief and symbolizing a torn heart. The rest of the reading is David’s Lament. A long soliloquy of the virtues of Saul and Jonathan. All for an enemy. Why the grief directed at someone who held malice for David?
Because Saul was God’s anointed one. The first anointed King of Israel. And if Saul was good enough for God, he was good enough for David. He chose the need to maintain unity in Israel over celebrating a personal triumph. It is sort of like today where we say that we must respect the office even if we do not like the one who is occupying that office.
But, more importantly, I think David is displaying a foreshadowing of what Jesus will be directing us to do during His Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:43-44: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” He goes on to say how the sun and the rain fall on all God’s children equally. That what good is it to only love those who love you. Don’t the pagans and tax collectors do the same. David got this 1,000 years before Jesus.
We see this compassion in David and also in the Australian squadron who carried The Red Baron’s doghouse…ummm…coffin to its final burial in France. As tough as it is, we are called to do the same. To love our enemies as we love our friends. You may recall an earlier reflection of mine where I recounted a sentiment expressed by Father Dave Swantek of St Martha’s parish in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. When faced with someone he finds difficult to relate to, Father Dave utters the phrase, “Bless them. Change me” Meaning may God put His spirit in the person and help me to change my feelings of contempt towards that person. A difficult but worthy pursuit. I might even have to learn to extend this sentiment to Green Bay Packer fans. Not sure even David could make that sacrifice.
Thought I would include this little ditty about the Snoopy vs Red Baron battle:
